UOL
AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership (CDP) Studentship – Reconnecting Museum Collections with Ecological Knowledge in East Africa (1870–1930)
✓ Fully Funded
⏰ Closing Soon
🎓 African History
🎓 African Studies
🎓 Heritage Studies
🎓 History
oral history
funded PhD
British Museum
heritage research
East Africa
colonial history
ecological knowledge
museum collections
Fully funded AHRC CDP PhD at the University of Lincoln and the British Museum exploring museum collections, ecological knowledge, and human–non-human relationships in East Africa.
Project Description
This PhD project investigates how museum collections can reveal histories of human and non-human relationships in East Africa, with likely focus on Kenya, between 1870 and 1930.
The research will focus on cultural materials such as feathers, skins, tusks, headdresses, cloaks, and ornaments now held by the British Museum. It will examine what these collections reveal about ecological relationships, colonial collecting practices, and changing uses of objects over time.
The student may shape the project by focusing on:
specific regions or communities
particular material types
research methods and approach
Possible methods include:
archival research
oral history
participatory research
photo-elicitation
The project includes collaboration with East African communities to reconnect objects with ecological knowledge and document living knowledge before it is lost.
The successful candidate will spend time at both the University of Lincoln and the British Museum and will also be expected to carry out qualitative fieldwork in East Africa.
Entry Requirements
Relevant Master’s degree or equivalent professional experience
Suitable background in:
History
Anthropology
Archaeology
Art History
Environmental Studies
Museums or Heritage
related disciplines
Must be committed to fieldwork in East Africa
Must be willing to work across both institutions
Suitable background in:
History
Anthropology
Archaeology
Art History
Environmental Studies
Museums or Heritage
related disciplines
Must be committed to fieldwork in East Africa
Must be willing to work across both institutions
How to Apply
Apply through the “Project details and how to apply” section of the University of Lincoln Research Studentships page
For queries contact:
Dr Zoe Cormack – zcormack@britishmuseum.org
Dr Sarah Longair – slongair@lincoln.ac.uk
CDP Webinar:
Date: 13 April 2026 at 11:00
Sign up by emailing cdp@vam.ac.uk
Subject line: Prospective Applicant Webinar
Sign-up deadline: 10 April 2026 at 17:00
For queries contact:
Dr Zoe Cormack – zcormack@britishmuseum.org
Dr Sarah Longair – slongair@lincoln.ac.uk
CDP Webinar:
Date: 13 April 2026 at 11:00
Sign up by emailing cdp@vam.ac.uk
Subject line: Prospective Applicant Webinar
Sign-up deadline: 10 April 2026 at 17:00
Eligibility
UK/Home
EU
International
Supervisor Profile
DS
Dr Sarah Longair
University of Lincoln, School of Humanities and Heritage
Related Opportunities
UNI
UNI
UOG
AU